The Best Ingredients for Each Skin Type
The beauty world is a buzzy place and month on month, new exciting ingredients and formulations are released, muddying the water of what ingredients are worth investing in and, more importantly, if they are beneficial for your specific skin condition or type.
We’re here to cut through the noise and give you the information so you can make an informed and confident decision on what ingredients to incorporate into your routine. So scroll down and find your specific skin needs and take note of what, and what not to use
If you have dry skin
Dry skin is a lack of oil present in the skin which leads to a loss of moisture, increased transepidermal water loss, and a scaly, flakey appearance and feel. When it comes to dry skin, your focus should be on replenishing lost moisture and oil, as well as assisting cell turnover to move dead, flakey skin on their way.
SAY YES TO
Rich omega oils, vitamin E, vitamin B, hyaluronic acid, gentle enzymatic exfoliators, cream masks, richer creams, milky or oil cleansers, squalane.
AVOID IF YOU CAN
Sulfate and soap based cleansers, astringent toners, strong acids, abrasive scrubs.
If you have oily skin
If you have oily skin, it means that you naturally overproduce your skin’s oil; sebum. This results in shiny skin (usually across the t-zone) and can mean increased congestion as the excess sebum can get clogged in pores. Your focus should be on regulated sebum production, reducing excess oil, and maintaining good hydration levels.
SAY YES TO
Salicylic acid, clay and peat-based masks, jojoba oil, linoleic oil, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide.
AVOID IF YOU CAN
Heavier textures and thick, rich oils, drying cleansers, alcohol-based toners.
If you have acne
Acne occurs when there is a combination of build-up of dead skin cells, clogged pores, and an increase in the p.acnes bacteria. This can lead to inflamed lesions, clogged pores, pustules, and sore, deep cystic nodules. Your focus should be on reducing inflammation, targeting the p.acnes bacteria and assisting cell turnover to reduce clogged pores.
SAY YES TO
Probiotics, hyaluronic acid, manuka honey, salicylic acid, clay masks, retinol, vitamin B, zinc oxide.
AVOID IF YOU CAN
Vitamin C, sulfate and soap cleansers, alcohol-based toners.
If you’re sensitive
Sensitive skin is a term used to describe when skin easily is irritated, feels sore and tender, and often is reactive to external factors like touch, weather or cosmetic products. When treating sensitive skin, you want to focus on barrier repair, hydration and anti-inflammatories.
SAY YES TO
Probiotics, niacinamide, centella asiatica, hemp seed extract, squalane, gentle exfoliators, SPF.
AVOID IF YOU CAN
Harsh scrubs, astringents, strong AHAs/BHAs, sulfates and soaps.
If you’re looking to rejuvenate
As we mature, our skin’s production of collagen and elastin naturally slows down which can lead to skin laxity, fine lines and wrinkles forming, and skin nor looking or feeling as plump and lifted as it used to be. When you are rejuvenating the skin, you want to focus on stimulating collagen and elastin production, preserving collagen that’s still there, and encouraging cell turnover for improved skin texture.
SAY YES TO
Vitamin A, peptides, growth factors, vitamins E and C, AHAs, oils, hyaluronic acid.
AVOID IF YOU CAN
Sulfates, scrubs, astringent cleansers, clay masks (unless congested).
If you have dehydrated skin
Dehydrated skin means that you have a lack of water in the skin and is one of the most common skin conditions. You want to focus your routine on replenishing water reserves and then locking that hydration in.
SAY YES TO
Hyaluronic acid, panthenol, niacinamide, glycerin, squalene, lactic acid, omega-rich oils, vitamin A.
AVOID IF YOU CAN
Sulfates and soaps, astringents, foaming cleansers, clay mask (unless congested).
If you experience redness or rosacea
Redness and inflammation can occur for a myriad of reasons including interal triggers such as alcohol, spicy foods, stress as well as external triggers such as touch, pollution, or incorrect skincare. You want to focus on strengthening the skin barrier, calming the skin, and reducing
inflammation.
SAY YES TO
Centella asiatica, hemp seed extract, probiotics, vitamin B, hydrolyzed algin, chamomile.
AVOID IF YOU CAN
Foaming cleansers, harsh scrubs, AHAs, fragrance, soaps.
If you have congested skin
Congested skin occurs when sebum and dead skin cells become clogged in the pores. When the sebum is exposed to the air, it oxidises and turns a darker colour which we see as a blackhead. If the blockage is not exposed to the air, it will be a white or skin coloured bump which is known as a white head. With congested skin, you want to focus on drawing out the congestion, staying hydrated, and encouraging cell turnover.
SAY YES TO
Salicylic acid, clay and peat-based masks, jojoba oil, linoleic oil, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide.
AVOID IF YOU CAN
Heavier textures and thick, rich oils, drying cleansers, alcohol based toners.
If you have pigmentation
Pigmentation forms when our melanocytes, the pigment-producing cells, get too excited and overproduce melanin. This results in darkened patches of skin. With pigmentation, you need to focus on inhibiting the pigmentation process and protect your skin from sun exposure as this will further darken the pigmentation.
SAY YES TO
Niacinamide, vitamin C, kojic acid, tyrosinase inhibitors, SPF, AHAs.
AVOID
Harsh scrubs that could scar the skin and lead to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
If you have textured skin
Our skin texture can be affected by a multitude of factors, from trauma causing scars, to acne scarring through to extended sun exposure and the ageing process. You want to focus on rebuilding the collagen and elastin in your skin and encouraging cell turnover for a smoother texture.
SAY YES TO
Growth factors, vitamin A, AHAs, peptides, vitamin C.
AVOID IF YOU CAN
Moisturisers containing silicones - whilst they have a temporary smoothing effect they won’t work towards a smoother skin texture.
